Alumni Spotlight: Micheal Hunter

For Throwback Thursday we reached out and did an online interview with one of our past employees Michael Hunter about his time with us working at the GIS Center. He had time to let us know that in his 3 years at the Center he primarily worked as the Graphic Designer, and during that time he received his Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)-Drone Applications Certificate, learned Computer-Aided Design and how to use the 3D printers. 

He discovered the center kind of by accident on his way home from class. A few of our drone techs were flying drones out on one of the campus’ practice fields, he stopped by and the rest is history. 

When asked what his experience working for the center was like he said “ During my time at the GIS Center I always came in wondering what the question of the day would be. We were asked so many times to create programming, objects of use, or a call to serve the community at a moment’s notice. The center embodied pushing the limits and answering the call for help when no one else would or even could.” And we couldn’t agree more, there is never a dull moment when you are at the center.”

During his time here Michael worked on many projects, out of them all we asked him to tell us about his favorites. His first being the 3D printed tactile map that covered the APSU campus created to aid students with limited or no visibility. The Drone Racing National Championship where he was a solo pilot placing APSU in 13th place within the U.S. came in close second.

We asked him about his experience working here to which he responded “During my time at the GIS Center I always came in wondering what the question of the day would be. We were asked so many times to create programming, objects of use, or a call to serve the community at a moment’s notice. The center embodied pushing the limits and answering the call for help when no one else would or even could.” 

One of the many questions that we get from new hires is “how will working at the center help me in the future” so naturally we had to ask Michael how working at the GIS center helped him get to where he is now. He responded by saying that the center is a “place of growth and willingness to work with you. It’s an opportunity, a challenge, and a blessing to put down on a resume. As a Veteran it was an amazing way to transition from Military life back into the civilian world.” 

During his time at the center Michael gained knowledge that he is still able to apply to his life and job even after leaving the center. 

“The Center prepared me to think outside of the box and how to solve problems differently. The answer is not always clear and looking at the problem in a different light can change the outcome on whether or not the problem can be solved.”